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3 minutes ago in Yakima, US
Tuesday Yoga Giveaway: Mat Companion Set from Daily Bandha
Posted on August 23rd, 2011
Question: How does anatomical knowledge impact your yoga practice?
Yogi and surgeon Dr. Ray Long found that it added tons of benefits to his practice—and his students.
Want to learn more great anatomical insights? This week’s giveaway is The Mat Companion series, four books written by Dr. Ray Long—certified orthopedic surgeon and the founder of Bandha Yoga. The set is a comprehensive learning tool, providing a guided visual narrative through the anatomy, biomechanics, and physiology of Hatha yoga.
You’ll get clear, step-by-step instructions to help you master the science behind the asana of Hatha yoga. Each book is made easy-to-understand with the help of over 1200 full-color anatomical images, and the books include the Bandha Yoga Codex, a five-step process you can use to improve your strength, flexibility and precision in asanas. The Mat Companion series is an incredibly insightful resource for yoga teachers and yoga practitioners looking to inspire and empower their practice.
About Ray Long, MD, FRCSC.
Ray Long MD FRCSC is a board certified orthopedic surgeon and the founder of Bandha Yoga. Ray graduated from The University of Michigan Medical School with post-graduate training at Cornell University, McGill University, The University of Montreal and Florida Orthopedic Institute. He has studied Hatha yoga for over twenty years, training extensively with B.K.S. Iyengar and other leading yoga masters.
Win the Daily Mat Companion set!
DailyBandha.com is giving one My Yoga Online community member the entire Daily Mat companion set, issues 1-4.
How to Enter:
Just add your answer to the following question to the comments section below: How does anatomical knowledge impact your yoga practice?
With apologies to our international friends, this prize giveaway is only available within North America (USA and Canada).
Enter on Facebook, too! Join your My Yoga Online community on Facebook and enter to win there, too.
Share the love.
Tell your friends about this great giveaway. Just click SHARE at the top of this post.
The fine print: Click here to read the official contest rules. By submitting a comment on this blog or commenting on or ‘liking’ the Facebook post, you agree to the official contest rules.
Tags: Anatomy, yoga anatomy, tuesday yoga giveaway, yoga giveaway, ray long, daily bandha yoga, yoga resources, yoga anatomy resources
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yoga4all
Often students come to me to ask how to stretch out a certain area so knowing anatomy and which muscles are stretched and/or strengthened by which poses is so helpful both in my personal practice and in teaching. I have been able to avoid ongoing expensive physiotherapy by working patiently with certain tight or injured joints/muscles through a focussed gentle targetted practice.
9 months ago
emniesl
I feel that knowing where things are within my body help me to focus my energy with intention during my practice. If I am having stomach troubles, or kidney pain, or an inflamed joint, if I understand the inner-workings of the body, it makes my intention go that much deeper.
9 months ago
tashar
Knowing how everything is connected makes my practice so much more in depth and lets me keep my focus inward. Knowing more would be great!
9 months ago
michelewetzelhillman
This knowledge helps during and after my practice.
9 months ago
lusdogs
Being able to see exactly which muscles and organs are being directly affected by movement and breath...how cool is that.
9 months ago
telma
Knowledge of anatomy gives depth to a yoga practice. This is obvious when you study with a teacher who has a basis of anatomy, vs one who does not.
Its like building a structure on a solid foundation vs one on sand.
It will help you avoid injuries and allow you to improvise within a practice. For example, knowing the anatomy of the shoulder and elbow, and wrists it makes good biomechanical sense to do plank postures with the palms up, not down as most commonly taught.
9 months ago in bowmanville, CA
bendyjen
Having a basic understanding makes me less afraid. Sounds silly, but I know that I won't hurt myself in certain poses, and makes other poses safer. I would love to learn more though!
9 months ago
bleustarfish
I have to admit, I don't know too much about anatomy and I would love to learn more to improve my yoga practice.
9 months ago
willow
the body is an elegant system. Anatomy helps us understand the lovely machines we have been given thus enhancing our lives as well as our yoga practice.
9 months ago in west hills, US
moragy
Anatomical knowledge on the mat makes any yoga practice safer. It allows the practitioner to make small adjusments and to feel and 'see' whats happening under the skin. Elements of breath, detoxification, and balance are happening in complex anatomical coordination during a practice and the understanding of this allows a deeper sense of the realisation of the present moment throughout the time on our mat, as well as the after effects, both beneficial and experiential, post practice. I would love to have these books to deepen my knowledge of what my body is telling me, and to help me teach others how to listen to theirs.
9 months ago in Vancouver, CA
bethinpdx
The knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of asana assists in enabling the flow of prana while practicing. I also can expand into the asana more fully when able to envision what is physically happening in the body.
9 months ago
lg2737
Studying anatomy helps me to follow the principal of Ahimsa on (and off) my mat. When we know the structures and inner workings of the body we can move safely and with purpose. As a teacher, an understanding of anatomy is essential in properly guiding students to respect their own limitations, while finding the perfect amount of challenge - so that they can follow Ahimsa in their own practice. Yoga should be blissful - not painful!
9 months ago in Egg Harbor Township, US